29-01-10: Hankook and the ANICC have agreed a contract to sponsor the Northern Ireland Stage Rally Championship for the second year in succession. The new deal sees Hankook substantially increase their support package, and there will be a number of exciting new initiatives for the series.

Mike Patterson, Hankook Motorsports Manager, said: "We are pleased and delighted to reconfirm our commitment to competitors in the Northern Ireland Rally Championship. We're looking forward to enjoying another successful year with competitors in what is a very challenging Championship."

Andy Gilmore, on behalf of the Northern Ireland Stage Rallies committee, said: "This is a fantastic package put together by Hankook. We are delighted at the confidence that Hankook is showing in the Northern Ireland Rally Championship, and this a major investment in the Northern Ireland Championship competitors."

"This package is by far the largest and most exciting sponsorship packaged ever secured for the Northern Ireland Rally Championship and its participants. We look forward to releasing all of the exciting details in the very near future."

The 2010 Hankook MSA Northern Ireland Stage Rally Championship starts on 27 February with the Pedro Pet Foods Stages Rally. The event, which is held at Kirkistown Race Circuit, is the first of 10 rounds which take competitors across Northern Ireland. A mixture of circuit based events, closed road and forestry rallies provide a real variety of challenges throughout the season.

The official championship website, www.nirally.com, will provide event and Championship updates during the year. Regulations and entry forms for the opening round are already available to download, and more details will be announced soon.